East Carolina has made eight bowl appearances
in the last nine years.
The Pirates registered two wins against top-25
opponents last year, defeating No. 17 Virginia
Tech and No. 25 North Carolina in nonconference
play.
East Carolina, which fell to Florida in the Birmingam
Bowl last season, has a rematch with the
Gators in the second game of the 2015 season.
OFFENSE
East Carolina will have to replace the potent
tandem of QB Shane Carden, who was the
American Athletic Conference Offensive Player
of the Year, and WR Justin Hardy, the NCAA
career receptions leader.
QB Kurt Benkert, who saw action in three games
in 2014, is expected to take over as the starter.
WR Isaiah Jones was the team’s second-leading
receiver last year with 81 receptions for 830
yards and five touchdowns.
RB Chris Hairston was second on the team in
rushing last season (528 yards, two TDs) and is
primed to take over as the starter.
OT Ike Harris, OG J.T. Boyd and TE Bryce Williams
all earned second-team all-conference
honors last year.
DEFENSE
The Pirates return fiver starters from last year’s
defense.
LB Zeek Bigger led the American Athletic Conference
in tackles in 2014 (140) and was a second
team all-conference selection. LB Montese
Overton had 68 tackles and 11.5 tackles for loss.
DE Johnathon White is the lone returning starter
from last year on the defensive line, but the Pirates
should receive a boost from the return of
DE Terrell Stanley. Stanley was a starter in 2013
who missed all of last season while recovering
from injuries suffered in a car accident.
CB Josh Hawkins had five interceptions, which
ranked third in The American, and was second
in the conference with 11 pass breakups.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Pirates will have to find a new man at placekicker
following the departure of Warren Harvey.
K Davis Plowman saw limited action last season.
P Worth Gregory, a transfer from Alabama, averaged
43.6 yards per punt, which would have put
him among atop the conference leaders had he
enough punts to qualify.
Isaiah Jones served as the primary kickoff return
specialist last year. The Pirates will need to fill
the void left by Justin Hardy, who doubled as the
main punt returner.
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